Work handling device



`March 1, 1949. E- E- STEVENSON 2,463,064

WORK HANDLING DEVICE Filed May 22, 1944 Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UITEDSTATES ATENT OFFICE WORK HANDLING DEVICE Application May 22, 1944,Serial No. 536,753

10 Claims.

This `invention relates toa device or mechanism for handling work in amachine, or the like, and has particular reference to a mechanism forhandling work in a machine such as ,a lathe or a grinder. A generalobject of the invention is to provide ysuch a mechanism which is simple,practical and accurate and which willeifectively handle work of acharacter diicult or impractical to handle by ordinary methods lormechanisms.

There are Various articles r units of Work that require operations suchas turning or grinding or milling and which are of a form, construction,,or character that make it exceedingly difficult and highly impracticalto handle them in the usual machines or with the usual equipment. Theusual chuck employed for gripping and holding work in a machine involvesa plurality of jaws and works satisfactorily when the work to be engagedpresents turned surfaces or regularly shaped, true parts that can beaccurately gripped in a predetermined manner. When the work to behandled varies in ksize or shape or contour from one piece to the next,it requires the exercise of great skill and vthe expenditure ofconsiderable Vtime to individually mount each piece if uniformity ofmounting is to be attained.

As an example of a unit of work presenting a problem such `as myinvention is designed to handle, I refer to a cutter such as is used inearth boring tools. A typicalcutter of this kind is generally in theform .of a truncated cone having va central longitudinalopening throughit requiring accurate finishing operations to be performed from bothends. The exterior of %.the.c0ne `carries irregularly arranged orirregular teeth making it difficult, if not wholly impractical, toattempt to hold the cutter from its exterior.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a mechanismwhereby units of work such as I `have referred to above can beeffectively and accurately mounted in a machine or in differentmachines, not only for the performance of work while they are held inone position, but so that they `can be operated on from `variouspositions. `I may accurately and quickly mount the work in `machinessuch as lathes or grinders and can mount it in one machine afteranotheras the operations require.

Another object of my `invention is to provide a mechanism of the generalcharacter referred to which involves but few yparts all of which aresimple and sturdy of form and construction. The mechanism of thepresentinvention supports work through cooperation of `iinished oraccurately formed :parts which `are large and so dis posed as tominimize discrepancies or inaccurracies such as occur in machines,generally.

Another object of `my invention is to providel a mechanism of thegeneral character referred 5 to which includes, generally, two elements,one

a .work holder to which the work is applied, aand the other a head to bemounted on and operated by a machine. invention is such as to allow thework holder to be readily and laccurately applied to the head so that itis securely gripped thereby so that the work yin the holder is inpostionto `he operated on by the machine.

Another object of my invention is t0 provide a mechanism of thecharacter referred to wherein a single work holder carrying a unit ofwerk is applicable to the head in different positions so that the workisSupported in the machine in dif.- ferent positions, .or so differentparts of ,it can be readily reached or acted upon.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description .of a typicalpreferred form and application of the invention, throughout which`description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view vof a simple machine showing the4mechanismof the present invention vapplied thereto :so that .the

head I,of the .mechanism is carried 'by the machine and supports theholder Vso that axunit of work is in position to be acted upon lby thema chine. Fig. `2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailedisectional view`,of the construction provided by my invention showing the work holderwith .a

is a view taken as indicated by line .3--3 on Eig. .1. i

The mechanism of the present `invention is operable to 4mount a unit of.work A in -a machine B- and involves, generally, ka work holder X towhich the work `A is xed and a head Y applied to the machine to 4operateas a part thereof.

The unit of work A shown in the drawings -as la typical part on .which`an Voperation or operations .are to be .performed is a cutter foruse ina well drilling hit. The particular cutter -illustrated isTruste-conical inform and has a pluralityliof cutting teeth i0projecting fromitsouter surface, the teeth 'being somewhat irregularincutter presents afdiiicult object to be handled `in The construction `ofthe present form and rheilig arranged or located so that theA anordinary chuck, or the like. The cutter has a central longitudinalopening with surfaces of various sizes and sh-apes required to befinished. Certain of these surfaces are readily accessible from one endof the cutter While others are readily accessible from the other end ofthe cutter. In the case of the cutter illustrated it is advantageous tohandle it so that it can be mounted in the machine B so that its ends-are successively presented to the working or cutting element of themachine.

The machine B may, in practice, be any suitable machine or unit ofapparatus for handling the mechanism of the present invention so thatthe desired operations are performed upon the work. In the drawings Ihave indicated, generally, a grinding machine having a fr-ame I2supporting a work carrying spindle I3 for rotation and supporting acutter carrying spindle I4 for rotation and reciprocation. I have shownthe head Y of my mechanism supported on the spindle I3 so that work A ina holder X carried by the head is in position to be engaged by agrinding wheel I5, or the like, operated by the spindle I4. It is to beunderstood that I have referred to a grinding machine merely for purposeof example and have shown merely a simple or general arrangement ofparts such as may be used. In practice the details of the parts of mymechanism and the manner in which they are mounted may be varieddepending upon the particular work being handled or upon the particularmachine in which they are to operate.

The work holder X provided by my invention is a unit completelyseparable or detachable from the head Y and it involves, generally, atubular body I6 in which the unit of work A is mounted. The holder X isadapted to be mounted in dilerent positions in the head Y. For examplein the case illustrated it is reversible and can be turned end for endso that either end is faced in the direction of or is presented to thecutting part of the machine. Where the holder X is a simple tubularmember it is most advantageous to make it simply reversible end for endas I have illustrated in the drawings.

The holder X is designed to receive and firmly support the work A. Inthe preferred form the opening I1 through the body I6 of the holder is.tapered so that the work can be readily inserted in the body from oneend to engage an inwardly projecting flange I8 provided at the other endof the body. The flange I8 is of limited extent and merely serves as astop or seat for one end of the work, the opening. I9 through the flangebeing sufficiently large to allow free access to the interior of thework A when the flanged end of the holder is presented to the cutter ofthe machine.

In the preferred form of the invention I mount the work A in the body I6of the holder X by casting a filler F between the holder and Work. Iprefer to form the unit of the holder X, work A and filler F by themethod and in the apparatus which are the subject of my co-pendingapplication entitled Method of mounting work in a holder, filed May 22,1944, Serial No. 536,754. When the work is mounted in the holder inaccordance with the teaching of my co-pending application it is heldsolidly or firmly and in a fixed predetermined position relative to theholder, the opening through the cutter being concentric with the `axisof the holder. As I set forth in my said.

ject to being melted at temperatures around F. The metal of the filler Fmay be an alloy of bismuth, lead, cadmium and tin, in which case thework is solidly held in the holder so that for all practical purposesthe holder X, the work A and the filler F are one continuous or integralunit. By adding mercury to the alloy the melting point can be lowered.In any particular case I will use a ller having a. melting point lowenough so that the filler employed as I provide does not draw the temperor in any way injure or even discolor the work being handled.

By my invention I provide parts on the exterior of the holder body I6whereby the holder can be mounted in the head Y from either end and sothat it is supported in the head with its longitudinal or central axisconcentric with the axis of the head. In accordance with the preferredconstruction I provide spaced circumferential ribs 2l] on the exteriorof the body I6 and I space the ribs apart longitudinally of the body sothere is a channe1 2| between them and I provide a tapered, nished face22 on the exterior of each rib. The finished faces 22 of the two ribsare pitched in opposite directions and so that the large ends of the tworibs oppose each other in forming the channel 2|; The nished surfaces 22of the two ribs are alike or identical as to size and pitch so thateither one can be fitted into the head as will be hereinafter described.The broad principles of the invention contemplate one or more finishedsurfaces on the holder to facilitate its mounting in a head or the like,and it is not necessary that there be parts specically in the form ofribs.

The head X of the mechanism involves, generally, a hub portion 30 bywhich the head is applied to the machine B and an annular axiallyprojecting socket portion 3| forming a socket 32 for the reception ofthe holder X. The parts 30 and 3| are formed integrally and in anyparticular case are proportioned to accommodate the machine to which themechanism is applied, and the yparticular size and shape of work holderX to be employed.

The hub 3|) is designed for application to the threaded end 32a of themachine spindle I3. I have shown a threaded socket 34 in the hubconcentric with the axis of the head to receive the threaded end 32a ofthe spindle so that the end face 35 of the hub seats on and is alignedby the shoulder 36 of the spindle. This construction [provides lasimple, accurate means for applying the head Y to the spindle I3 of themachine so that it operates concentric therewith.

The socket portion 3| of the head Y projects outwardly and axially fromthe hub 3D so that the socket opening 32 Within the portion 3| issuiiiciently large to adequately accommodate the holder X.

In accordance with my invention I provide a tapered annular seat 40 inthe socket portion 3| or on a rib llla projection somewhat from the Wallof the socket 32 which seat 4I] corresponds in size and taper to thefinished surfaces 22 on the exterior of the work holder. The parts areproportioned so that when the work holder X is arranged in the head Yfrom either direction, that is, so that either of its ends enters thesocket 32, one of the finished tapered surfaces 22 on the exterior ofthe work holder will engage and accurately seat on the seating surface40 within the head. The manner in which the parts cooperate is clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

My invention provides means for retaining the encarna work holder X in.the `head Y with the :tapered faces in seated engagement as hereinabovedescribed. The .particular .form `of retaining .means illustrated in thedrawings includes .a :plurality of retainers '41 carried by the head Y:so that they are operable to engage and hold the holder X. I prefer toprovide several retainers 4I spaced around the louter or :mouth Vportion-of 'the .socket 3l `so 'that the holder X is engaged 'and held 4atseveral circumferentially spaced points.

In the case illustrated each retainerM isin the form lof a blockslidalole in a guide way-42 .formed parallel with the surface or pitchof the socket wall and the retainers are shaped and Vproportioned sothat they are shiftable or movable inward'ly in the guideways 42 so that:they engage in the channel 2li Vin the exterior of the holder X tocontact the large end of the -ribs 20 of the holder which Ais engaged onthe seating surface tllinthehead. When the retainers 4I are movedoutwardly fin 'the guideways 40 they are clear of the channels 2| andallow free Vmovement of the holder X in and out of the head Y.

In the construction shown in the drawings each retainer il is Ycarriedon a stem 4d slidably carried in ari-opening 45 formed in the headportion 3i parallel with the guideway 42 which guides the retainer.

I provide means for actuating or moving the retainers lli inwardly intoclamping engagement with the holder X so that the holder is held in thehead Y during operation of the machine. In the preferred arrangement acylinder 5D is provided .for each retainer 4I and 'a piston 5I isattached to the stem 4d carrying the retainer so that it-operates in thecylinder '50. Iprovide means for introducing fluid under pressure intothe Acylinder 50 to act on the piston 5l so that the 'stem -is movedinwardly as indicated by 'the arrow in Fig. 2. In practice I vmaysupplyfluid :pressure to the several cylinders 50 in any suitablemanner. In the particular case illustrated I have shown the spindle i3as a hollow spindle and have shown a fluid supply line 60 entering thehead Y through the hollow spindle I3. The supply line 60 communicateswith radial |ports 6| which carry the fluid to the cylinders 50.

I prefer to provide the mechanism with means for releasing the retainers4I and for normally yieldingly holding them in the released position.This means may1 involve springs arranged to act so that they normallyyieldingly hold the retaining members l out in the guideways 42. In theparticular construction illustrated each retaining member 4I is equippedwith a cross-arm 10 and springs 1| are carried in openings l2 providedin the head .portion 3l so that they act on the outer end portions ofthe cross arms t0 urge them outwardly. In the particular caseillustrated blocks 13 are connected by the outer ends of the crossarmsand slide in the openings 'I2 presenting abutments against which thesprings 'H Operate. The openings 12 for the springs of each retainingmember 4I are formed parallel with the stem lill of that member. Theinner or xed ends of the springs 'H are supported by plugs l5 screwthreaded into the openings 12. The plugs allow for adjusting thepressure on the springs and for removing or replacing the springs, ascircumstances require.

In operating the mechanism of the present invention the head Y isapplied to the spindle I3 of the machine B as shown in the drawings. TheWork holder X with the work A held therein, as by a filler F, is thenarranged in the head Y so that the -end of the lworkh 'to be operated oninitially is out or exposed to the member `l5 `cn the spindle I4 'fofthe machine. The fluid pressure is then applied tothe cylinders 50:causing the stems d'4 to vmove :inwardly with the result that theretainers 4I engage in the channel 2l and contact the rib 20 which isarranged on the seat 40. As aresul't of this foperation the holder X isrmly and `accurately held in the `head Y and While the machine isoperated the fluid pressure is maintained in the cylinders 5E! holdingthe 'holder vX tightin 'the head. When the machine has been operated sothat the desired work has been .performedon the work A the machine isstopped and the .pressure is relieved from the cylinders so that .thesprings H move the retaining members -outwardly thus disengaging themfrom the channel 2l. The work holder X is then lfree to be withdrawnfrom the head Y and, if desired, turned end for end and replaced in thehead or can be placed in a head on another machine so that the other oropposite end of the Work A is inposition to be engaged 4by the member l5on the spindle :i4 of the machine. When the work holder lhas thus beenreversed and re-arranged in the head Y `pressure can be appliedretaining the holder in the head .and the machine operated ras desired.Following theisecond operation when pressure is released from thecylinders A5S the work holder X is released .and is free to be withdrawnfrom the .head Y. To disengage the work A from the holder X it is merelynecessary .tosupply sufficient heat to melt the filler F `from lbetweenthe holder and the work.

Having described onlya typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted by `the detailsherein set forth, 'but wish vto reserve to myself any variations .ormodifications that may appear vto those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A Work holder including a rigid annular unitary open ended body theinterior of which receives the work, a rigid filler fitting tight in thebody and conforming to the work, and oppositely disposed beveled partson the exterior of the body whereby the holder can be mounted inopposite positions in a machine.

2. A work holder including a rigid annular unitary open ended body theinterior of which receives the Work with clearance, a rigid illerfitting tight in the body and conforming to the work, and axially spacedcircumferential ribs on the exterior of the body, the outer surfaces ofthe ribs being beveled in opposite directions axially of the body. y

3. A head for mounting a work holder having an axially facing shoulderat its exterior including a mounting hub, an axially projecting socketcarried by the hub to receive the holder, and means for releasablyretaining the holder in the socket including retaining members carriedby the hub at circumferentially spaced points to engage the shoulder ofthe holder, and fluid pressure actuated means for operating the members.

4. A head for mounting a work holder having opposite axially facingshoulders at its exterior including a mounting hub, an axiallyprojecting socket carried by the hub to receive the holder, and meansfor releasably retaining the holder in the socket including retainingmembers carried by the hub at circumferentially spaced points to engagethe holder, means normally yieldingly holding the members inactive, andfluid pressure actuated means for moving the members to active position.

5. In combination, a hollow rigid Work holder having spaced beveled ribson its exterior, a head for operation by a machine and having a socketpart with a beveled internal surface for supporting the holder througheither of said ribs, and an axially reciprocating retainer carried bythe head entering between the ribs and engaging the inner end of one ofthe ribs to releasably retain the holder in the socket part.

6. In combination, a Work holder having spaced beveled ribs on itsexterior, a head for operation by a machine and having a socket partwith a beveled internal surface for supporting the holder through eitherof said ribs, a retainer carried by the head operable to engage betweenthe ribs to releasably retain the holder in the socket part, and fluidpressure actuated means for operating the retainer to engage the holder.

7. In combination, a work holder having spaced beveled ribs on itsexterior, a head for operation by a machine and having a socket partwith a beveled internal surface for supporting the holder through eitherof said ribs, a retainer carried by the head operable to engage betweenthe ribs to releasably retain the holder in the socket part, meansnormally yieldingly holding the retainer disengaged from the holder, andfluid pressure actuated means for operating the retainer to engage theholder.

8. A head for mounting a rigid work holder including a rigid unit havinga mounting hub, an axially projecting socket projecting from the hub andhaving an outwardly diverging socket opening with a finishedholder-receiving seat intermediate ts ends to be engaged by the holder,and means for releasably retaining the holder in the socket includingreciprocating retaining members carried by the unit at circumferentiallyspaced points and movable lengthwise of the head to engage the holder.

9. In combination, a rigid hollow body with a tapered work receivingsocket and a tapered face on its exterior concentric with the socket, ametal filler tight in the socket and having holding engagement with workin the socket, and a body carrying head for operation by a machine andhaving a tapered socket part with a beveled internal surface supporting`the body through its said tapered face.

10. In combination, a rigid hollow body with a tapered work receivingsocket and a tapered face on its exterior concentric with .the socket, ametal ller tight in the socket and having holding engagement with Workin the socket, a body carrying head for operation by a machine andhaving a tapered socket part with a beveled internal surface to supportthe holder through its said face, and means releasably retaining thebody in the socket of the head with said face in engagement With saidsurface.

EDWARD E. STEVENSON,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 709,526 Taylor et al. Sept. 23,1902 995,537 Hertner et al June 30, 1911 1,295,994 Lavoie Mar. 4, 19191,331,030 Ryan Feb. 17, 1920 1,551,342 Steenstrup Aug. 25, 19251,618,998 Redinger Mar. 1, 1927 1,702,132 Redinger Feb. 12, 19291,714,555 Gallimore et al May 28, 1929 1,740,542 Gallimore et al Dec.24, 1929 1,929,285 Muller Oct. 3, 1933

